Parks and Gardens
The Delhi Ridge
This is the oldest mountain chain in the country and is
an integral part of the national capital territory. The
ridge is an extension of the Aravalli mountain range and
has a strategic importance. It functions as the 'green
zone’ of the capital city. It shields the city from the
hot winds of Rajasthan and helps to retains moisture in
the region. It has been divided into four zones, namely
the southern ridge, south-central ridge, central or the
new ridge and northern or the Old Delhi ridge. The ridge
is a haven for migratory birds.
Mughal Gardens
The western extension of the Rashtrapati Bhawan
overlooks the famous Mughal Gardens that were designed
by Lutyens. Here the principles of floral symmetry and
natural harmony are extended into a beautiful landscape
complete with a huge range of exotic flowers. Many
ornamental fountains, gazebos and screens combine with
multiple trees, flowers and shrubs to create a natural
paradise. This is why the Mughal Garden is also called
as ‘God’s own Heaven’. The garden was planted in such a
manner that the flora has developed in a tropical
profusion forming wonderful patterns of numerous lawns
and waterways. The Mughal Garden is open to public every
spring season of the year.
Buddha Jayanti Park
The Buddha Jayanti Smarak Park was founded to honour the
2500th anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha's attaining
nirvana. The park covers a major portion of the Southern
Ridge of Delhi. The sprawling lush, green Buddha Jayanti
Park has been a favoured haunt among Delhites for years.
Its attraction lies in the manicured lawns, sloping
terrains and the mammoth trees. The park is known for
its sapling of the Bodhi tree which was brought from Sri
Lanka. It is extremely picturesque with its colourful
flowers, bright green grass and paved pathways.
Lodi Gardens
These gardens were earlier called the Lady Willington
Park. The garden has been brilliantly landscaped and is
very well laid out with small water bodies and a jogging
track. The gardens house the National Bonsai Park that
has a fine selection of bonsais. The Lodi Gardens has
many species of trees including a Rose Garden and a
Green House. The garden is at its best during the months
of February through March. Many species of birds like
the babblers, parakeets, kites, owls and kingfishers
also throng this area.
The Lodi Gardens are a popular picnic spot among the
people. The Lodi Gardens houses Muhammad Shah's Tomb. It
is an octagonal tomb with a central chamber surrounded
by a veranda having three arched openings. There are
eight graves inside the tomb of which the central one is
most probably the grave of Muhammad Shah. The gardens
are also home to the Bara Gumbad and Masjid.
The Bara Gumbad is a square tomb situated 300 meters
northeast of Muhammad Shah's tomb. The Bara Mosque has
facades and turrets and was built during the reign of
Sultan Lodi. This masjid is a situated on the western
side of the tomb. The gardens also enclose the Sheesh
Gumbad which is a few meters north of the Bara-Gumbad
mosque which lies near another Lodi tomb, the Sheesh
Gumbad. The most famous of tombs in the Lodi Gardens is
Sikandar Lodi's Tomb.
Nehru Park
The Nehru Park is located in one of the plushest
localities of the capital. It is next to the
Chanakyapuri Diplomatic Enclave. The park was named
after India's first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru.
The park is spread over an area of more than 80 acres.
It is striking beautiful with floral collections and
picturesque little mounds and rocks which are inscribed
with the sayings of Nehru. Due to the pleasant and
peaceful ambience of the park, it has recently become
quite popular with picnickers and young couples of the
capital. Fitness enthusiasts can be regularly seen
during the mornings and evenings.
The major attraction of the Park is Morning Ragas - the
musical concerts and the art events that are conducted
every Sunday morning. World-famous musicians and
vocalists of India perform in these concerts that are
usually held for two hours amidst the landscaped lush
gardens of the Nehru Park. The park is thronged by
people looking forward to the free yoga classes which
are conducted by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation
Development Corp as a part of Delhi government's
initiative to keep the residents of Delhi fit.
The Garden of Five Senses
This famous park is located in Said-Ul-Azaib village in
the vicinity of the Mehrauli heritage area. The park was
developed by the Delhi Tourism Transportation
Development Corporation. It was inaugurated in February
2003. The garden has been designed with a view to
stimulate all the five senses. Visitors can be often
seeing relaxing or enjoying themselves as they seek to
take a break from their daily lives.
The garden is a prominent cultural venue of the capital.
The garden has held tourism festivals, food festivals
and Dandiya festivals. The 20-acre landscape has
numerous attractions including Khas Bagh, Neel Bagh,
Colour Gardens, the Courts of Specimen Plants and the
Solar Energy Park. Khas Bagh has been developed on the
pattern of Mughal Gardens with a series of water
channels and fountains. Neel Bagh is basically a pool of
water lilies which is surrounded by a bower-like.
Roshnara Gardens
This garden is among the most famous of Mughal gardens
in India. Princess Roshanara — the daughter of Emperor
Shah Jahan had laid this garden in the year 1650. The
central and most impressive component of the Roshanara
Park is the Baradari or the Tomb of Roshanara. It is
situated in the middle of the garden. Four pathways can
be used to approach the main pavilion. The tomb is noted
for its Mughal Naqqashi or designing. The interior is
decorated with paintings and there are Mughal-style
fountains from each side of the main building. In 1923,
an addition was made to the original layout of the
garden and a club was established with a distinct
Victorian design. This is still the most prominent club
in Delhi.
The National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park of Delhi or the Delhi Zoo
is located in the proximity of the Old Fort. The zoo
houses thousand of animals, reptiles and birds. It also
a large variety of deer found in the country. The major
attractions include the white tigers from Rewa,
elephants which play the harmonica and the spotted
leopards.
It is also home to some of the most endangered species
of the Indian rhinoceros, hippopotamus, black buck,
Indian gazelle and the lion-tailed macaque. The zoo is
spread over an enormous locale and the animals have airy
and spacious enclosures. Delhi Zoo is a favoured
destination of numerous Asian migrant birds. During the
cold Delhi winter season, the large lake at the entrance
of Delhi Zoo is crowded by numerous winter birds like
the storks and ducks. |
